The Foundation for Delaware County announced it recently received full reaccreditation with Community Foundations National Standards, the highest standard for philanthropic excellence.

One of 900 community foundations across the U.S., the Foundation brings together funders, nonprofits, and elected officials to address critical community issues, responds to major challenges and crises as they arise, helps generous people give with impact, and offers support and resources for nonprofits of every size.

 “Meeting National Standards’ benchmarks is a rigorous and comprehensive process,” said Frances Sheehan, president of the Foundation. “This reaccreditation is a significant accomplishment that demonstrates the Foundation is committed to transparency, quality, integrity and accountability as it carries out its mission to serve the people of Delaware County.”

The Community Foundations National Standards accreditation seal represents a community foundation’s commitment to rigorous, sector-driven best practices that exceed federal and state law requirements and demonstrates accountability and excellence to communities, policymakers, and the public.

“Delaware County residents deserve excellence in their charitable institutions,” Sheehan added. “The Accreditation Seal signals to donors and to their professional advisers that this community foundation is a sound place to give and to make a difference.

“When people make a charitable bequest or establish a fund, they put their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely, honor their charitable wishes and, in some cases, provide lifetime income to a loved one. The National Standards accreditation says our house is in excellent order.”

The Foundation offers a range of charitable funds, from donor advised funds to scholarships, allowing donors to support a cause they are passionate about, support an individual organization, or fund scholarships for students.

In addition to affirming the organization’s philanthropic services, the accreditation validates the Foundation’s grantmaking practices for the nonprofit community.

Unlike private or corporate foundations that typically receive resources from a single source (e.g. a family or a company), community foundations like the Foundation are supported by a broad base of community members who bring together and leverage the pooled financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses in support of people in the communities they serve.

Community foundations that receive accreditation have met specific benchmarks for quality in operations and service that help distinguish them from entities providing similar services.

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations program was established in 2000 in cooperation with the Council on Foundations.

For more information about National Standards, visit www.cfstandards.org.

About The Foundation for Delaware County

The Foundation for Delaware County is the largest grantmaking philanthropy in Delaware County. It offers support and resources for nonprofits of every size, helps generous people give with more impact, brings together funders, nonprofits, and elected officials to address critical community problems, and responds to major challenges and crises as they arise.

In addition to grant funding, the Foundation operates the Center for Nonprofit Excellence to strengthen Delaware County’s nonprofit community through training workshops and peer learning opportunities.

The Foundation encourages philanthropy by connecting donors to worthy causes through efficient charitable giving vehicles like donor-advised and scholarship funds.

On May 8-9, 2024, the Foundation launched Delaware County’s first 24-hour online giving day, Delco Gives Day. Delco Gives Day raised more than $1.7M from more than 9,600 donors for 281 nonprofits.

In addition, the Foundation operates the public health programs Healthy Start, the WIC nutrition program, and Nurse-Family Partnership, as well as the Housing Opportunities Program for Equity (HOPE), El Centro (a Hispanic resource center) and a health resource center for students in the Chester Upland School District.

Learn more about the Foundation, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @DelcoFdn.